Hurricane Lee: New Brunswick's Impact Date

Hurricane Lee, which began as a Category 5 hurricane with wind speeds of up to 165 mph, hit New Brunswick on Saturday, September 16, 2023, leaving thousands without power. The storm made landfall in Nova Scotia around 4 p.m. before reaching New Brunswick later that night.

Hurricane Lee's impact on New Brunswick

Hurricane Lee impacted New Brunswick in September 2023, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the province. The storm made landfall in neighbouring Nova Scotia on Saturday, September 16, and its effects were felt in New Brunswick from the early hours of that day.

The centre of Hurricane Lee was predicted to reach New Brunswick on Saturday night, but its impacts were felt in the province well before then. The storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, and power outages to the region. Wind gusts of up to 120 km/h and rainfall amounts of up to 121 mm were reported in New Brunswick. The high winds and rain led to downed trees and power lines, causing power outages for approximately 90,000 NB Power customers throughout the weekend. Restoration efforts continued for several days after the storm.

The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO) activated to Level 1 enhanced monitoring during the storm. They advised residents to stay away from areas with downed power lines and blocked roadways and to report any immediate safety concerns to emergency services. Cleanup and power restoration efforts were underway following the storm, and NBEMO continued to monitor the situation along with emergency management partners.

The impacts of Hurricane Lee in New Brunswick were felt most severely in Carleton, Charlotte, and Kings counties. The southwestern regions of the province, particularly exposed coastal areas, experienced some of the strongest winds, with gusts of up to 120 km/h. The Bay of Fundy coastline was also heavily impacted, with wind gusts of about 100 km/h expected. The combination of high winds and rain heightened the risk of flash flooding in low-lying areas.

Overall, Hurricane Lee caused significant disruptions in New Brunswick, leading to power outages, travel interruptions, and infrastructure damage. The storm's large size and intensity resulted in widespread impacts that lasted for several days. The province's emergency management organizations played a crucial role in monitoring the situation, providing updates, and coordinating response efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

The transition from hurricane to post-tropical storm

Hurricane Lee hit New Brunswick on Saturday, September 16, 2023, as a post-tropical storm. The transition from hurricane to post-tropical storm usually occurs when a tropical cyclone moves to higher latitudes and interacts with atmospheric features more typical of those latitudes.

A post-tropical cyclone is a former tropical cyclone that no longer possesses enough tropical qualities to be considered a tropical cyclone. In the case of Hurricane Lee, it transitioned to a post-tropical storm early on Saturday morning as it moved towards higher latitudes. This transition does not imply a downgrade in the storm's strength or impact. In fact, winds in a post-tropical storm can increase in strength, and the storm can remain extremely dangerous.

Post-tropical storms are classified into two main categories: extratropical cyclones and remnant lows. An extratropical cyclone is frontal and sometimes still retains winds of hurricane or tropical storm force. A remnant low, on the other hand, is non-frontal and has maximum sustained winds of less than 34 knots. It mainly consists of stable stratocumulus with little to no convective activity.

Although the designation has changed from hurricane to post-tropical storm, the impacts can still be significant and life-threatening. Post-tropical storms can bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and power outages. In the case of Hurricane Lee, it brought strong winds, heavy rain, and power outages to New Brunswick, affecting thousands of residents.

Weather warnings and preparations

Ahead of Hurricane Lee's arrival, weather warnings were issued across New Brunswick. A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Fundy Coast, with hurricane watches remaining in effect for Grand Manan and Coastal Charlotte County. There was also a risk of flash flooding, and wind warnings were in place for Coastal Charlotte County, Saint John, and the Fundy Coast.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre advised that the worst of the conditions would last for about 12 hours, but gusty winds would persist in some areas for up to 36 hours. They also noted that the storm's large size meant its impacts would be felt far beyond its centre.

In anticipation of the hurricane, residents were urged to take several precautions. These included clearing yards of debris, securing doors and windows, cleaning rain gutters and downspouts, filling up on gas, charging electronics, and preparing emergency kits with enough food and water for at least 72 hours in case of prolonged power outages. Travel was also advised against unless essential.

New Brunswickers were also advised to stay away from areas with fallen trees and to contact 911 in case of immediate danger. In the event of a power outage, information on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention and food safety was made available. Mental health and wellness resources were also provided, as it is natural to experience stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions during and after a stressful situation.

Power outages and restoration efforts

Hurricane Lee, which hit New Brunswick on Saturday, 16 September 2023, caused power outages across the province. The storm, which was downgraded from a hurricane to a post-tropical cyclone, brought strong winds, heavy rain, and gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour to the region.

The storm caused widespread power outages, with approximately 67,000 NB Power customers losing power at some point and 38,000 at the peak of the storm. Trees falling on power lines were the primary cause of the outages, with the hardest-hit areas being Carleton, Charlotte, and Kings counties.

NB Power had a team of 700 personnel on standby to tackle power restoration efforts as soon as it was safe. By Sunday morning, power had been restored to most customers, with only about 4,000 still waiting for their power to be reconnected, mainly in the Fredericton and southwestern areas of the province. The utility estimated that some customers would have to wait until Monday evening for their power to be restored.

The power outages caused disruptions to traffic lights and road closures, with Route 102 in the Island View area near Fredericton washed out and impassable. Motorists were advised to plan their travels accordingly and to check for updates on road conditions.

The storm also impacted the Bay of Fundy ferry services, with all Fundy Isles ferry services and coastal ferry services to Grand Manan, Deer Island, and White Head suspended.

Damage and cleanup

Hurricane Lee, which made landfall in Nova Scotia on Saturday, 16 September 2023, caused extensive damage in New Brunswick. The storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, and hurricane-force winds to the region, leading to power outages, flooding, and fallen trees.

The impact of Hurricane Lee was felt across New Brunswick, with strong winds and heavy rainfall causing widespread damage and disruption. Power outages affected tens of thousands of residents, with approximately 67,000 NB Power customers losing electricity at some point during the storm. Trees fell on power lines, blocking roads and causing hazardous conditions. In Fredericton, Route 102 in Island View was washed out, and traffic lights stopped working due to power outages.

The city of Saint John was particularly affected, with fallen trees blocking walkways and roads. City crews worked to remove the trees and assess the damage. The mayor of Saint John reported that the worst damage occurred in the morning when many trees came down, but there was less impact along the shoreline. The city also experienced delays in garbage collection, and residents were advised to keep their garbage inside to prevent it from being blown away by the storm.

NB Power had anticipated the potential for outages and had 700 personnel on standby, including power line technicians, damage assessors, and logistics staff. They were stationed in strategic locations, with many deployed to areas expected to be hardest hit. Despite these preparations, the storm's impact was significant, and crews worked through the night to repair damaged power lines and restore electricity to affected areas.

The storm also caused flooding in low-lying areas, and residents were urged to stay away from coastlines and limit their travel to essential purposes only. All Fundy Isles ferry services were suspended, along with coastal ferry services to Grand Manan, Deer Island, and White Head.

The cleanup and recovery efforts continued even after the storm had passed. NB Power continued to work to restore electricity to affected areas, and residents were advised to stay indoors and follow the storm's progress online. The city of Saint John instructed residents to put their garbage back out on Sunday night after the storm.

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